Lightning protection systems

ABSTRACT

A lightning protection system including a monitoring system ( 10 ) for detecting dangerous atmospheric conditions within specific geographic zones, a transmission system ( 12 ) for sending control codes, and multiple circuit connection/disconnection devices ( 16 ) for electrically connecting to electronic equipment to be protected. The lightning protection system ( 10 ) protects electrical and electronic equipment ( 18 ) by detecting and locating dangerous atmospheric conditions in a particular geographic area and transmitting broadcast control commands to electrical circuit connection/disconnection devices ( 16 ) in the geographic area, which have a receiver for receiving the broadcast control commands and an interruption mechanism ( 16 ) for disconnecting and reconnecting the electrical equipment from external conductors in response to the control commands. The monitoring system ( 10 ) may consist of multiple detectors located in different geographic areas. The monitoring system ( 10 ) may also be external to the region receiving the control commands. In the external monitoring system configuration, a centralized monitoring system detects and locates the dangerous atmospheric conditions and transmits this information to the transmission system. The transmission system then transmits control commands to the electrical circuit connection/disconnection devices.

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of provisionalapplication 60/114,832 filed on Jan. 6, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and devices for protecting electricaland electronic equipment from the damaging effects of lightning and fromother electrical disturbances that are carried to the equipment byexternal conductors.

Electrical and electronic equipment, particularly electronic equipmentusing microelectronics, microcircuitry and integrated circuits, aresensitive to electrical surges coming through external electricalconductors such as telephone lines, coaxial cable, digital connections,analog connections, low voltage control lines, and power conductors.These surges may result from lightning strikes or other catastrophicelectrical events occurring within the power grid. Various lightningprotection devices are available which protect electronic equipment fromelectrical surges and other undesirable electrical phenomenon. A featureof some of these existing devices is to protect electrical andelectronic equipment by disconnecting the equipment from externalconductors before any actual surge exists. Generally, the protectiondevices disconnect the equipment being protected from externalconductors in response to a sensor that detects the presence ofdangerous atmospheric conditions near the protection device. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,899 (the “'899 patent”) entitled “LightningProtection Device,” which is incorporated herein by this reference,discloses a lightning protection device that physically interrupts theelectrical connection between electrical and electronic equipment andthe power grid when lightning is detected in the vicinity of theequipment by a radio frequency receiver tuned to a frequency thatgenerates a voltage in response to radio frequency static in the generalvicinity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,208 entitled “Incipient LightningDetection and Device Protection,” which is incorporated herein by thisreference, discloses several other detecting mechanisms for sensingelectrical activity in the general vicinity of the device.

An important concern with these prior lightning protection devices isthat control of the device is typically limited to detection ofdangerous atmospheric conditions such as disclosed in theabove-referenced patents. Detection of dangerous atmospheric conditionsat the precise location of the protection device may not be sufficientto protect the device from damage. For example, some electronicequipment may be located within structures where relevant radiofrequencies are difficult to receive. In addition, because electricalstorms tend to cover a large geographic area and tend to move quickly,they are very difficult to track based on one geographical data point.Therefore, sensors located on protection devices may not have the range,sensitivity, or accuracy to detect distant atmospheric conditions thatmay still damage the equipment being protected. Even if more sensitivesensors were employed, such an approach could be cost prohibitive.

Although lightning protection devices may permit users to manuallydisconnect equipment from external conductors, this is no different thanmerely unplugging the equipment. Additionally, commercial users of suchdevices may be inconvenienced by having to have multiples of such unitsdistributed throughout the building to protect a variety of electronicdevices. Likewise, a homeowner may be similarly inconvenienced by havingto move about an entire house to trigger multiple devices attached tovarious outlets.

Another important concern with many prior protection devices is thatthey may not provide adequate insulation between the electrical andelectronic equipment being protected and the external conductorscarrying the electrical surges. For example, voltages induced in thewiring of a house by a lightning strike may reach or exceed 6,000 voltsbefore the wiring of the house is destroyed. Thus, the insulativecapacity of the protection device must be sufficient to prevent a 6,000volt charge from crossing the insulative barrier and entering theelectrical and electronic equipment being protected.

Furthermore, there are additional electrical events that may damageelectrical and electronic equipment that are not diminished or mitigatedby the use of a conventional lightning protection device. For example,conventional electrical power supplies often suffer from small surgeswhich can damage circuitry but are not sufficient to triggerinterruption by the lightning protection device. Moreover, suchinterruption might not be desirable if the surges are relatively minorand need only to be attenuated. Also, power interruptions may damageelectronic equipment.

Surge protectors are available which attenuate minor variations in powersupply. Also, uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) are available whichcontinue to provide power to electrical and electronic equipment forsome period of time after a power failure, to allow the benign shut-downof the system. Each of these systems are typically provided independentfrom lightning protection devices, thereby increasing the cost andcomplexity of the systems required to provide clean, consistent power tothe electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a lightning protection system for effectively andefficiently protecting electrical and electronic equipment fromlightning induced electrical surges and other disturbances. Thelightning protection system includes a monitoring system for detectingdangerous atmospheric conditions within specific geographic zones, atransmission system for sending control codes, and multiple circuitconnection/disconnection devices for electrically connecting toelectrical and electronic equipment to be protected. The lightningprotection system protects electrical and electronic equipment bydetecting and locating dangerous atmospheric conditions in a particulargeographic area and transmitting broadcast control commands toelectrical circuit connection/disconnection devices in the geographicarea, which have a receiver for receiving the broadcast control commandsand an interruption mechanism for disconnecting and reconnecting theelectrical equipment from external conductors in response to the controlcommands. The monitoring system may consist of multiple detectorslocated in different geographic areas. The monitoring system may also beexternal to the region receiving the control commands. In the externalmonitoring system configuration, a centralized monitoring system detectsand locates the dangerous atmospheric conditions and transmits thisinformation to the transmission system. The transmission system thentransmits control commands to the electrical circuitconnection/disconnection devices.

To further enhance the protection of the electrical equipment, theelectrical circuit connection/disconnection device may also becontrolled in a number of other ways. For example, the electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device may be manually operated withthe use of a “stomp” switch, which manually forces the disconnectprocess. Alternatively, a remote control may be used permitting the userto remotely activate the electrical circuit connection/disconnectiondevice via a hand-held remote control unit, computer, modem, theInternet, wire or wireless telephone, home automation system, or anyalternative means of remote communication. In a similar manner, multipleelectrical circuit connection/disconnection devices may be connectedtogether in a local area or large area network and controlled in asimilar, remote manner. Manual triggering of the electrical circuitconnection/disconnection devices may be desirable where certainstructures interfere with lightning detection, thus rendering automateddisconnection impractical; when normal sources of electrical power havefailed; where dangerous, non-lightning related voltages may occur; whena user desires to have the protected equipment powered down; and whenpeace of mind or convenience dictates disconnection of the protectedequipment.

Protection of electrical equipment may be further enhanced by enablingthe electrical circuit connection/disconnection device to be controlledby the electrical equipment. Specifically, an electrical circuitconnection/disconnection device may have a sensor that detects thestatus of the on/off switch of the electronic device. When theelectrical equipment being protected is turned off, the electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device may automatically sever theconnection between the electronic equipment and external conductors,thereby insuring that unanticipated electrical surges will not damagethe electronic equipment even if the user is not in the vicinity tomanually disconnect the device.

In order to provide effective protection of the electrical equipment,the electrical circuit connection/disconnection device may incorporate adisconnect mechanism with substantial insulative capacity. For example,a rotary block with conductive rods passing therethrough may be used tointerrupt the external conductors, such as the power supply, modemlines, cable television lines, computer network lines and any otherelectrical connections, to the electronic equipment. The material usedin the insulating rotary block has sufficient insulative characteristicsto prevent excessive voltages from crossing the rotary block.Alternatively, the disconnect mechanism may employ a rotating disk withalternating insulating tabs and spaces to interrupt the externalconductors from the electronic equipment. The disconnect mechanism mayalso employ gas-filled or vacuum relays. The gas or vacuum in the relayis sufficiently insulative to prevent excessive voltages from bridgingthe gap between the relay elements. Alternatively, the disconnectmechanism may employ a substantial gap of air.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a lightningprotection system with an accurate, sensitive, and precise detectorcapable of detecting and locating dangerous atmospheric conditions.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an intelligent lightningprotection system that may detect and locate dangerous atmosphericconditions in a specific geographic area and control electrical circuitconnection/disconnection devices within the area.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device for protecting electrical andelectronic equipment from various electrical surges that may becontrolled by geographically specific radio broadcasts.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device for protecting electrical andelectronic equipment from various electrical surges, which has adisconnect mechanism with sufficient insulative capacity to prevent evenextreme voltage surges from crossing the insulative barrier.

A further feature of the invention is to provide an improved electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device for protecting electrical andelectronic equipment from various electrical surges in combination withother electrical conditioning devices and/or uninterruptable powersupplies in a single compact and inexpensive unit.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an electrical circuitconnection/disconnection device for protecting electrical and electronicequipment from various electrical surges, which may be controlledmanually.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device for protecting electrical andelectronic equipment from various electrical surges, which may becontrolled remotely.

Yet another feature of the invention is to provide an improvedelectrical circuit connection/disconnection device for protectingelectrical and electronic equipment from various electrical surges,which may be controlled remotely and in network fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a lightningprotection system of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a lightningprotection system of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a lightningprotection system of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a lightningprotection system of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuitconnection/disconnection device usable in the systems of FIGS. 1-4 thatalso may be controlled based on the power consumption state of theelectrical or electronic equipment being protected.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a circuitinterruption mechanism usable in the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-5and other systems.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view a portion of a mechanismsimilar to that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 positioned in a connected state.

FIG. 9 depicts the mechanism shown in FIG. 8 positioned in adisconnected state.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the external connectivity of anelectrical circuit connection/disconnection device usable in the systemsof FIGS. 1-5 and other systems.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a circuitinterruption mechanism usable in the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-5and other systems.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment of acircuit interruption mechanism usable in systems illustrated in FIGS.1-5 and other systems positioned in a connected state.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitconnection/disconnection device of FIG. 12 positioned in a disconnectedstate.

FIG. 14. is a schematic diagram of an improved electrical circuitconnection/disconnection disconnection device usable in the systemsillustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and other systems.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of another alternativeembodiment of a circuit interruption mechanism usable in the systemsillustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and other systems.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of one set ofcontacts of the mechanism shown in FIG. 15 closed.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side elevation view similar to FIG. 15 with thecontacts open.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of acircuit interruption mechanism usable in systems illustrated in FIGS.1-5 and other systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment 10 of the lightning protection systemof this invention. System 10 may have a plurality of regional broadcastsites or transmitters 12 having regional lightning detectors 14 and aplurality of electrical circuit connection/disconnection devices 16 forprotecting electrical and electronic equipment 18. System 10 may protectelectrical and electronic equipment 18 by detecting and locatingdangerous atmospheric conditions in a particular geographic area usinglightning detectors 14 and transmitting broadcast control commandsthroughout the affected geographic area to devices 16, which disconnectelectrical and electronic equipment 18 from all or a portion of externalconductors in response to the control commands from regional broadcasttransmitters 12. Devices 16 may also provide an audible warning prior todisconnection, which may enable users of devices 16 to overridedisconnection of devices 16 from electrical and electronic equipment 18.System 10 may also use the control signals to reconnect electrical andelectronic equipment 18 to the disconnected external conductors. Sincerelatively few regional broadcast sites 12 and lightning detectors 14are needed, it is economically feasible to design each lightningdetector 14 to have substantial range, sensitivity, and accuracy fordetecting and locating atmospheric conditions. Because electricalcircuit connection/disconnection devices 16 need not incorporate theirown lightning detectors, each device 16 may be small and inexpensive.Additionally, because central lighting detectors may be of a higherquality than may be affordable for a single user, more accurate controlof devices 16 can be achieved.

Devices 16 in system 10 may be assigned a control address based on thelocation of the device within the geographical area of the lightningprotection system. For example, the entire geographical area of system10 may be divided up into distinct regions with each device 16 in aparticular region being assigned the same control address. Although inFIG. 1 each distinct region corresponds to the transmission radius ofregional broadcast sites 12. the size and shape of each distinct regionand corresponding control address in the lightning protection systems ofthis invention may be independent of the size and shape of thetransmission radius of sites 12. In this manner, devices 16 within eachdistinct region may be controlled by transmission systems using anycellular, pager or any other suitable communications technology,including future systems not presently available that may transmitcommon control signals to devices having specific control addresses.

Lightning detectors 14 may be provided on each site 12 to detectlightning activity in the vicinity of the region. Each site 12broadcasts control signals using a common numerical code, such as, forexample, a pager “capcode” or any alternative control command systemthat may activate only devices 16 within that particular region. Becauseregional lightning detectors 14 cover relatively small geographic Allareas, accurate control over devices 16 is possible. System 10 may alsoenable devices 16 to receive encoded broadcasts, such as, for example,the NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE's (a weather monitoring and notificationservice) Specific Area Message Encoded (SAME) broadcasts or anyalternative encoded broadcast, in addition to those controlling thedevices 16 to provided redundancy or to provide the user with specificweather information, including weather alarms. Moreover, each of sites12 and detectors 14 may be linked together to form a network. In thismanner, detection data from each of the detectors 14 may be compared toaccurately track storm movement and activate devices 16 only in specificdanger areas.

As an alternative to the multiple lightning detectors 14 shown in FIG.1, a centrally located detector within each distinct geographic regioncould control transmission from sites 12.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternative embodiments of lightning protectionsystems of this invention where the dangerous atmospheric conditions maybe detected and located by a monitoring system 20 located outside thecoverage area of sites 12. Monitoring system 20 may be a centralizedweather monitoring system, such as. for example, the National WeatherService, the National Hurricane Service, the National LightningDetection Network, which is owned and operated by Global Atmospherics,Inc., or any alternative centralized weather monitoring and locationsystem. As shown in FIG. 2, in system 11, sites 12 may receive relevantatmospheric data from monitoring system 20, and sites 12 then retransmitbroadcast control signals to devices 16 as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, in system 13, a monitoring system 20 may communicatebroadcast control signals to devices 16 via a terrestrial paging networkwith satellite interconnectivity or via any alternative paging or radioconfiguration.

It should be understood that lightning protection systems of thisinvention may be practiced using as connection/disconnection device 16any appropriate apparatus for electrically disconnecting electriccircuits from electrical and electronic equipment 18 and achievingsufficient insulation or physical separation to reduce the likelihoodthat a power surge by lightning or other electrical disturbance willtravel from disconnected external conductors to electrical andelectronic equipment 18.

Service Provider/Subscriber System

Lightning protection systems of this invention may be implemented usinga service provider/subscriber business scheme. For example, existingservice providers, such as, for example, cellular service providers,personal communications service providers, paging service providers, orany alternative wireless or dataline service providers, may includelightning protection services as described above separately or in theirbundle of services. Because existing telecommunications serviceproviders already have the necessary infrastructure, equipment, andsubscribers, lightning protection systems of this invention may beimplemented with very little cost to service providers. Costs forservicing a large number of subscribers may be limited to a singlelightning detector 14, an autodialing device, and nominal monthlytelephone and pager service fees. Service providers may offer lightningprotection services in accordance with lightning protection systems ofthis invention to individuals and businesses based on a nominal monthlyrate. Service providers may initially sell electrical circuitconnect/disconnect devices 16 to subscribers or they may give devices 16away to new subscribers. This service provider/subscriber scheme enablesservice providers to leverage their existing infrastructure andsubscriber base to provide inexpensive and valuable lightning protectionservices in accordance with lightning protection systems of thisinvention.

Alternative Electrical Circuit Connection/Disconnection Device Controls

To further enhance the protection of electrical equipment 18, devices 16may also be controlled in a number of other ways.

FIG. 4 illustrates devices 16 controlled using two remote controlapproaches. In installations where multiple power outlets must beprotected with devices 16, such as stores selling musical, audiovisual,or other consumer electronic appliances, it may be desirable to providefor remote actuation of devices 16. For example, in a music store withmultiple electronic instruments connected to a power source andpositioned over a large area of floor space, it may be difficult orinconvenient for store personnel, upon learning of electrical storms inthe area, to rapidly move about the store to disconnect all of theinstruments or ensure that all electrical circuitconnection/disconnection devices 16 affixed to each of the outlets inthe store are activated to protect the sensitive musical equipment.Moreover, if many such devices 16 are in use, it may be possible forstore personnel to inadvertently miss one or more of the devices 16,thereby exposing expensive inventory to potential harm from severeelectrical surges. In the system shown in FIG. 4. one remote activationdevice or transmitter 22, sends out a signal that is received bydetectors 24, each of which detectors is connected to electrical circuitconnection/disconnection devices 16. The signal from transmitter 22activates each of the electrical circuit connection/disconnectiondevices 16, ensuring that all electrical connections between theequipment to be protected and the power grid are simultaneously severed.Devices 16 may be configured to be sensitive to only certain commandsfrom transmitter 22 so that each device 16 can respond independently orin unison with other devices, depending on the signal from transmitter22. Transmitter 22 could use a variety of conventional technologies,including infrared signals like those used in television remotecontrols. radio frequency signals, laser beams, and any other controlsignal.

Alternatively or additionally, each of the protection devices 16 may beconnected to a common network which may be controlled by a centralcontrol device 26 such as a computer or a dedicated control terminal. Inthis manner, a user may directly control all of the devices 16 inunison, and may activate or deactivate devices 16 independently.Alternatively, the devices 16 may be connected to central control device26 over the Internet, a local area network, or computer, wireless,cellular or other network topologies.

The various features, control systems and network arrangements describedabove may be used in combination with each other or in combination withother detection systems such as those described in the '899 patent or asotherwise may be known or later developed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, protection device 16 may also be controlled byelectrical or electronic equipment 19. A communication line 27 may beprovided between the electronic equipment (such as a television) 19 andthe protection device 16. In this manner, when electronic equipment 19is switched on or off, it sends a signal to protection device 16 thatcommands device 16 to interrupt or reconnect the circuit between plug 50and outlet 52 as appropriate. (Battery or other auxiliary power may benecessary to accomplish this switching when the equipment 19 is notconnected to another power source). This approach is advantageous,because it assures that whenever electrical equipment 19 is turned off,its connection to the power grid is completely severed. In essence, thisis a manual approach to activating device 16 that is coordinated withthe operation of electrical equipment 19. In the system of FIG. 5,device 16 may also be controlled by a detector circuit as described inthe '899 patent, other detection circuits and/or any of the othercontrol approaches described below.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, protection device 16 may be supplemented witha surge suppressor 78. Surge suppressor 78 may be any conventional surgesuppression device, such as those using metal oxide varistors. Surgesuppressor 78 attenuates variations in voltage supplied by plug 50,thereby preventing transient voltages from passing through outlet 52 anddamaging electronic equipment 19. Surge suppressors 78 and protectiondevices 16 may be configured so that a suppressor 78 may be easilyremoved from device 16 when an indicator signals that suppressor 78 nolonger exhibits surge suppressing characteristics and a new suppressor78 may be inserted into device 16. For example, this functionality maybe enabled by housing surge suppressors 78 in a plug-in module 79.

Circuit Interruption Device

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate in detail an embodiment 17 of an electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device of the type contemplated in thisinvention and described above as device 16. Device 17 includes rotaryblock 28, contact rods 30, contact blocks 32 and 34, side supports 36and 38, motor 40, receiver circuit 42, and batteries 44. Rotary block 28is a cylinder constructed of a material which is sufficiently insulativeto prevent a voltage of 6,000 volts or more from passing through block28. Block 28 may be made of glass. nylon, plastic or any otherappropriate insulative material. The diameter selected for block 28 willdepend on the permittivity of the selected material. If block 28 is tobe very small in diameter, a low permittivity must be used. In contrast,if block 28 is to be very large in diameter, the material used for block28 may have a higher permittivity, although the acceptable diameter ofblock 28 will also be a function of the resulting length of the path(presumably through air or another gas around block 28).

Contact rods 30 are positioned within and along a diameter of block 28.Contact rods 30 extend from one side of rotary block 28 to another andare positioned generally in parallel with respect to each other. Contactrods 30 may be made of brass, aluminum, copper, or any other suitableconductive material. Contact blocks 32 and 34 are positioned adjacent torotary block 28 such that contacts 31, positioned within contact blocks32 and 34, correspond to the locations where contact rods 30 protrudeslightly from either side of rotary block 28. In this manner, whencontact blocks 32 and 34 are adjacent to rotary block 28 and contactrods 30 are aligned with contacts 31, electricity may pass from contacts31 on block 28 through contact rods 30 to contacts 31 on block 32 andvice versa. As will be readily understood by one skilled in the art,many types of conductors through block 28 may be used, as well as avariety of brushes, springs or other suitable mechanisms acting ascontacts 31 to complete the necessary circuits.

Side supports 36 and 38 have holes 46 which receive pins 48 which extendfrom either side of rotary block 28. Moreover, side supports 36 and 38are affixed to contact blocks 32 and 34 thereby joining the assemblyinto one integrated unit as illustrated in FIG. 7. Motor 40 is affixedto pin 48 via hole 46, thereby allowing motor 40 to rotate rotary block28 as described below. Block 28 could also be rotated through the 90°rotation necessary in other ways, such as by a solenoid acting on alever arm attached to one of the pins 48.

Motor 40 is connected to and controlled by receiver circuit 42, both ofwhich in turn are powered by batteries 44. Receiver circuit 42 receivescontrol signals using one or more of the approaches described above.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, to operate device 17, a control signal isreceived by receiver circuit 42. When the appropriate control signal isreceived, thereby indicating that the external conductors to electricalequipment 18 and 19 connected to outlet 52 should be interrupted,receiver circuit 42 controls motor 40 (or another rotation mechanism),which rotates rotary block 28 so that contact rods 30 are alignedperpendicularly to a line connecting contacts 31 of block 32 andcontacts 31 of block 34. In this manner, the only path between contacts31 of block 32 and contacts 31 of block 32 is interrupted by theinsulative material making up rotary block 28. If and when a controlsignal indicating that the external conductors may be reconnected toelectronic equipment 18 and 19 connected to outlet 52, receivercircuit.42 may activate motor 40 to rotate rotary block 28 into aposition where contact rods 30 connect contacts 31 of block 32 andcontacts 31 of block 34, thereby providing a direct conductive pathbetween contacts 31 of blocks 32 and 34. FIG. 8 illustrates therelationship between rotary block 28, contact rod 30 and contacts 31 ina connected state. FIG. 9 illustrates this relationship in adisconnected state. Rotary block 28 may have a hand lever 56 which, whenpulled, would allow for manual operation of rotary block 28.

Controlling Power and Other Circuits

As illustrated in FIG. 10, device 16 may be connected to conventionalplugs 50 and conventional outlets 52 in order to access and controlconventional home power supplies and allow conventional electronicdevices to be plugged into device 16. In addition, additional lines 53may be provided to protect modem, cable television, computer network orother electrical paths as may be desired and appropriate.

Gas or Vacuum Relay Disconnect/Connect Mechanism

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the systems of this invention may use avacuum or gas-filled relay 58. The gas 60 present (or the relativeabsence of gas in a “vacuum”) in relay 58 are sufficiently insulativethat the gap 62 between contacts 64 and 66 of relay 58 when it is opencannot be bridged by voltages of 6,000 volts or more. To operate relay58, receiver circuit 42 receives a control signal in one of thealternative ways described above and activates a relay 58 to separatecontacts 64 and 66, thereby interrupting the electrical contact betweenplug 50 and outlet 52.

Manual Activation

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, connection and disconnection may beachieved manually. Contact rods 33 housed within insulation block 68 arenormally in contact with contacts 31. As shown in FIG. 13, depressingplunger 70 forces compression spring 72 and displacement of insulationblock 68 and contact rod 33. Insulation block 68 includes a detente,which at maximum displacement is engaged and held by latch 74. Releasinglatch 74 allows device 16 to be reset.

Uninterruptable Power Supply

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a connect/disconnect device 16 may becombined with an uninterruptable power supply 80. Uninterruptable powersupply 80 may be any conventional device for providing continued powerto an electronic device when the power normally provided through plug 50to outlet 52 is interrupted either by activation of lightning protectiondevice 16 or failure of power delivery to the local electronic grid.Such power, can be provided, for instance, by batteries, an auxiliarygenerator, and other energy storage or supply devices, including fuelcells, flywheels, and electromagnetic storage device, or any otheralternative method of providing auxiliary power. The combination ofuninterruptable power supply 80 and protection device 16 is advantageousbecause it allows use of device 16 even with electrical equipment 18that is sensitive to unanticipated interruptions in the power supply.Upon detecting lightning storms in the area or otherwise receivingcontrol signals, device 16 may interrupt the circuit between electricalequipment 18 and 19 and the power grid, thereby eliminating the risk oflightning induced power surges from entering the circuit and damagingthe electronic equipment. At the same time, uninterruptable power supply80 will sense the loss of power and will begin providing continued powerto the electronic device thereby avoiding harm that might arise from thesudden and unanticipated deprivation of electrical power.Uninterruptable power supply 80 may operate in a conventional manner,for instance, or activation of the uninterruptable power supply 80 mayalso trigger software which commands the electronic device to begin ashut-down procedure, thereby assuring that the device is properly shutdown rather than shut down by the power failure.

Circuit Interruption Device

FIG. 15 illustrates in detail a rotating disk embodiment 130 of anelectrical circuit connection/disconnection device of the typecontemplated in this invention and described above as device 16. Cam 92includes disc portion 120 having center hole 122, a plurality ofdisengagement ridges 124, and a plurality of alternating dielectric tabs126 and gaps 127. Ridges 124 are integrally attached along the perimeterof disc portion 120 and extend transverse to disc portion 120. Tabs 126are integrally attached to ridges 124 and extend radially from discportion 120. Cam 92 may be constructed of a material similar to rotaryblock 28 of device 17.

Cam 92 is secured between blocks 94 and 96 on shaft 118 such that tabs126, gaps 127, and the ends of contacts 98 and 100 define circles havingan equal radius with respect to holes 122 and 97. As will be appreciatedby reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, rotation of cam 92 alternativelypermits contacts 100 to mate with contacts 98, or break such contactswhen the tabs 126 are between the pairs of contacts 98 and 100.

Interface 106 includes electrical input connections for electricalconductors such as, for example, power sources, datalines, coaxialcable, telephone lines, low voltage control lines, and any other digitalor analog electrical source or signal used as an external conductor inelectrical and electronic equipment. Each of the plurality of electricalconnections are electrically connected to one of the external conductorcontacts 98. Interface 106 also includes output connections electricallyconnected to one of the plurality of equipment side contacts.

Device 130 may also employ an additional rotating disk assembly 90 foruse with electrical and electronic equipment having higher voltage powersources, which may be configured as described above and which mayoperate as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, device 130 operates similar to device 17described above in detail. FIG. 16 illustrates device 130 in a connectedstate. In the connected state, contacts 100 are positioned betweenadjacent tabs 126 within gaps 127 and are in electrical contact witheach other.

FIG. 17 illustrates device 130 in a disconnected state. When theappropriate disconnect control signal is received, receiver circuit 112controls motor 108, which rotates shaft 118, which in turn rotates cam92. As cam 92 is rotated, ridges 124 rotate, thereby forcing contacts100 to move away from contacts 98. At the same time, tabs 126 areinterposed between contacts 98 and 100 thereby providing sufficientseparation to prevent voltages of 6,000 volts or more from passingthrough tabs 126. When the appropriate reconnect control signal isreceived, receiver circuit 112 controls motor 108, which rotates cam 92.As cam 92 is rotated to the connected state shown in FIG. 16, ridges 124and tabs 126 are removed from between contacts 98 and 100 and the pairof contacts again mate.

Multiple Pole Single Throw Relay Disconnect/Connect Mechanism

As illustrated in FIG. 18, a device 16 may also use a multiple polesingle throw relay for the disconnect/connect mechanism. In theconnected state, the relay provides electrical connectivity between theelectrical or electronic equipment 18 and 19 and all external conductorsthat are electrically connected to equipment side contacts 132.Equipment side contacts 132 are connected to external contacts 134,which make electrical contact with lever member 136 when the relay is inthe closed position. Lever member 136 may be pivotally attached toplunger 138, which moves in and out of solenoid 140 in response toactivation of solenoid 140. When the receiver circuit receives a controlsignal as described above, movement of plunger 138 along the axis ofsolenoid 140 causes lever member 136 to separate contacts 134 fromcontacts 132 a distance sufficient to prevent at least 6,000 volts frombridging the gap between contacts 132 and 134.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerousmodifications can be made in this invention without departing from thespirit of the invention as described and illustrated here or the scopeof the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A lightning protection system, comprising: a. a regionaltransmitter for transmitting a control signal; b. a plurality ofreceivers for receiving the control signal and generating a switchingsignal; and c. at least one interruption device connected to eachreceiver for interrupting at least one electric circuit in response tothe switching signal from the receiver to which it is connected.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the control signal is an infrared signal. 3.The system of claim 1 wherein the control signal is a radio frequencysignal.
 4. A lightning protection system, comprising: a. a weathermonitoring system for detecting dangerous atmospheric conditions in ageographic area; b. a plurality of regional transmitters fortransmitting control signals to at least the geographic area when theweather monitoring system detects dangerous atmospheric conditions inthe geographic area; c. a plurality of receivers within the geographicarea for receiving the control signals and generating switching signals;and d. at least one interruption device connected to each receiver forinterrupting at least one electric circuit in response to the switchingsignal from the receiver to which it is connected.
 5. The system inclaim 4 wherein each of the plurality of regional transmitters transmitcontrol signals to a different geographical subset of the plurality ofreceivers.
 6. The system in claim 4 wherein each of the plurality ofregional transmitters transmit control signals to a differentgeographical subset of the plurality of receivers using a common controlsignal.
 7. The system in claim 4 wherein the weather monitoring systemreceives locations of dangerous atmospheric conditions from a weathernotification service.
 8. The system in claim 7 wherein the weathernotification service is a national weather service and a weathermonitoring and notification service.
 9. An apparatus for protectingelectrical and electronic equipment having at least one electrical inputfor connecting to at least one external electrical conductor,comprising: a. a first electrical contact for electrically connectingthe apparatus to the external electrical conductor; b. a secondelectrical contact for electrically connecting the apparatus to theelectrical input; c. a receiver for receiving control signals; and d. aninterruption device having a cylindrical insulative block and at leastone electrical conductor therethrough for electrically connecting thefirst and second electrical contacts and rotating the blocksubstantially 90 degrees in response to the control signals such thatthe first and second electrical contacts are not electrically connected.10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the external electrical conductorprovides electrical power.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 furthercomprising an uninterruptable power supply electrically connectedbetween the second electrical contact and the interruption device forsupplying auxiliary power to the electrical input.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9 further comprising an electrical surge suppressor connected inseries with the first electrical contact and the second electricalcontact.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a device formeasuring the surge suppression characteristics of the electrical surgesuppressor and indicating when the surge suppression characteristicsreach a predetermined minimum level.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12wherein the electrical surge suppressor employs a replaceable modularmetal oxide varistor.
 15. A method for a telecommunications serviceprovider to provide lightning protection services, comprising: a.providing lightning protection service subscribers with an electricalcircuit connection/disconnection device for receiving control signalsand interrupting the electrical connectivity between electricalequipment and at least one external conductor; b. monitoring weather ina vicinity of a geographic area; c. sending the control signals toelectrical circuit connection/disconnection devices of subscribers inthe geographic area when dangerous atmospheric conditions are near thegeographic area; and d. charging subscribers for lightning protectionservices during time periods within which service is provided.
 16. Amethod of protecting electrical equipment from electrical surges anddisturbances carried on external conductors, comprising: a. detectingthe presence of dangerous atmospheric conditions in a specificgeographic area; b. transmitting control signals to electrical circuitconnection/disconnection devices in the specific geographic area, thedevices having receivers receiving the control signals and disconnectingthe electrical equipment from the external conductors in response to thecontrol signals.
 17. A method of protecting electrical equipment fromelectrical surges and disturbances carried on external conductors,comprising: a. receiving notification of the location of dangerousatmospheric conditions in a specific geographic area; b. transmittingcontrol signals to electrical circuit connection and disconnectiondevices in the specific geographic area, the devices having receiversfor receiving the control signals and disconnecting the electricalequipment from the external conductors in response to the controlsignals.
 18. An apparatus for protecting electrical and electronicequipment having at least one electrical input for connecting to atleast one external electrical conductor, comprising: a. a firstelectrical contact connected to the external electrical conductor; b. asecond electrical contact connected to the electrical input; c. areceiver for receiving control signals; d. a disk with a perimeterhaving a plurality of insulative tabs that are separated by a pluralityof spaces and attached to the perimeter of the disk; and e. a rotatingmechanism for positioning the insulative tabs between the firstelectrical contact and the second electrical contact in response to thecontrol signals.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the externalelectrical conductor provides electrical power.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 19 further comprising an uninterruptable power supply electricallyconnected between the second electrical contact and the interruptiondevice for supplying auxiliary power to the electrical input.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 18 further comprising an electrical surge suppressorconnected in series with the first electrical contact and the secondelectrical contact.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising adevice for measuring the surge suppression characteristics of theelectrical surge suppressor and indicating when the surge suppressioncharacteristics reach a predetermined minimum level.
 23. The apparatusof claim 21 wherein the electrical surge suppressor employs areplaceable modular metal oxide varistor.